Management

Daniel Johnson Chief Executive Officer

Daniel Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer of Innovation Credit Union and has over 20 years of experience in the credit union system. Other current responsibilities include board governance positions for: Concentra Bank (Chair) and Westcap MBO Investment GP Inc.

Throughout his life, Daniel has been committed to education and continuous study. Daniel is a Chartered Director (C.Dir.) from McMaster University the Director's College. Additional post-secondary educational achievements include a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and presently, Daniel is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) candidate and has completed levels I and II of the program. His other professional development accomplishments include studies in the areas of negotiations (Ivey) product and project methodology, change management and strategic management.

Daniel believes in community volunteerism, which is a reflection of his personal values and priorities. Daniel's dedication to community is evident by his involvement in coaching youth sports. Past involvement includes: CurePSP, Rotary Club of Rocky Mountain House (President), President of BabyBiz, Board member of the Saskatchewan Science Centre, member of the Financial Executives Institute (FEI), former Board Vice President of ACE Credit Union and past President of the Treasury Management Association of Canada (TMAC) - Regina Chapter.

Daniel, his wife Laureen, and two children; Hunter and Kamryn live in Swift Current. Hunter and Kamryn stay very active with hockey, baseball and school sports. They all love camping and travelling.

Sheldon Hess Chief Financial Officer

Upon graduation from the University of Saskatchewan in the spring of 1995 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Sheldon began his credit union career with Moosomin Credit Union in the fall of 1995. Early in 1997, Sheldon moved to Swift Current and has worked in various capacities with the credit union since that time.

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Sheldon is committed to lifelong continuous learning which is evident in the following academic achievements:

Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Management

Bachelor of Commerce – accounting major

Certified Financial Planning (CFP) designation

Associate with the Credit Union Institute of Canada (ACUIC)

Sheldon is active in the community and currently devotes time to the following:

Student - Athabasca University Executive MBA Program

Member - Canadian Institute of Financial Planners

Past President - Swift Current and District Chamber of Commerce

Sheldon was born in Yorkton, SK and raised on a farm east of that community. Sheldon and his wife Barb have two children, Duncan and Chloe. Sheldon enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.

Brad Appel Chief Risk Officer

Brad has over 23 years of experience in the credit union system, spending the past 11 years at the executive level. With a passion for credit management, Brad has strategically expanded Innovation’s quality assurance and portfolio management programs.

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His leadership background in operational improvement and productivity has earned him a vast array of relationships across the industry. He has an ongoing focus on development with designations in Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada and Business Administration (Management).

Brad has volunteered with many community organizations, as well keeps busy coaching hockey, softball and volleyball.

Brad was raised on a mixed farm near Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan and is a sports enthusiast who enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family and friends. Brad and his wife Brandie have three daughters: Shelby, Paris, and Vegas and live in Swift Current.

Dean Gagne Chief Omni and Digital Officer

Dean Gagne is the Chief Omni and Digital Officer of Innovation Credit Union. Dean has been with Innovation Credit Union since December of 2013, previously holding the position of Vice President, Alternate Channel Banking. Dean has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Dean has previously held high-level research/consulting positions, as well as line management positions, for leading edge corporations and consulting firms.

Dean brings a vast amount of business experience to every project, as both a practitioner and an academic. Aside from managing full time, Dean has taught marketing strategy, consumer behaviour and marketing research for several universities throughout the world.

Dean was educated (both undergraduate and graduate studies) at the University of Saskatchewan. His undergraduate studies were in Marketing and Finance (B.Comm. program) and his graduate studies focused on Strategic Thinking and Technology Management (M.Sc. program).

Dean, and his wife Katherine and their three daughters, live in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Dean’s two oldest daughters attend McGill University in the fall and winter, both enrolled in the Desautels Faculty of Management.

Dean was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, and grew up on a farm just south of Medstead, Saskatchewan. Dean is Metis, which is one of Canada’s three distinct Aboriginal groups identified in the Canada Constitution.

Kent Jesse Chief Operating and Innovation Officer

Kent has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and is currently working towards a Masters of Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School.

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Kent has 15 years of experience in the credit union system and has held senior leadership positions in the Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia systems in the areas of human resources, operations, marketing, strategy, and project management. Kent has volunteered with many community organizations, and has helped several non-profit organizations in the areas of strategy and business planning.

Kent was raised in Medstead. He and his wife Shalain have two children, Makenzie and Lake.

Ian McArthurChief People & Development Officer

With twenty years in the credit union system, Ian has a deep and intimate knowledge of credit unions and an undeniable commitment to the credit union community. Ian joined Innovation Credit Union in April of 2015 and provides leadership to the People Division and Operations Support Team. He also provides oversight to the credit union’s governance practices.

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During his 15 plus years at SaskCentral, Ian gained a wealth of operational experience and earned a reputation of being an innovative leader and trusted and effective facilitator. Ian had the responsibility of managing the department responsible for credit union operations such as internal audit, risk management, training, operational compliance, deposit and lending support, cash and armored car services, HR consulting and strategic planning. Ian has worked with credit union board and executive teams from across Canada. He takes pride in his leadership abilities and his success in having people look for new opportunities to created efficiencies that enhance the member experience.

His education has greatly supported him throughout this journey. Ian graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in General Business from the University of Saskatchewan and followed that up with a Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada designation. Through Queens School of Business, he has certificates for executive education in leadership and strategy.

Ian lives in Regina with his wife Donna and two young daughters, Hayley and Sara. In his spare time, he is an avid fisherman, camper, enjoys travel and is a fan of the Oilers and the Roughriders. He is active volunteer with particular emphasis on pediatric healthcare. His family has actively supported numerous fundraising activities for the Saskatchewan Childrens Hospital Foundation and the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic of Regina General Hospital. He also sits on the Pediatric Steering Committee for the Regina Qu’appelle Health Region.

Rosalie Payne Chief Retail Officer

Rosalie Payne is Chief Retail Officer for Innovation Credit Union and has 30 years of experience in the credit union. Prior to taking on this role, Rosalie held retail and wealth sales and leadership roles within the credit union as well as a leadership role of Innovations Property and Casualty Insurance subsidiaries.

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Rosalie is a committed, lifelong learner, as she feels that this is imperative to stay relevant in the ever changing financial sector. She currently holds the following designations:

Rosalie also believes in being actively involved in her community. She currently is: :

Director Battlefords and District Community Foundation

Director Catholic Family Services of the Battlefords

Chair of Sponsorship - Saskatchewan Winter Games Committee

Rosalie was born and raised in the Battlefords, as is proud to continue to call the Battlefords home. Her and her husband, Brett, have three married children and 7 beautiful grandchildren. They love spending time at the lake with family and friends, boating, snowmobiling, golfing and hiking. In her spare time, Rosalie loves to travel and read.

Tim Sletten Chief Wealth Officer

Tim has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan and a CIM designation (Canadian Investment Manager) with the Canadian Securities Institute. He has been in the financial services industry for almost 25 years of which the last 16 years have been in the Credit Union system.

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He has held sales positions in retail, wealth management and insurance, as well as executive and management positions in retail, retail support and wealth management. His current role as Chief Wealth Officer focuses on continuing development of the Wealth Management business for Innovation, and providing members with knowledgeable professionals who will help them achieve financial success.

Throughout his career Tim has focused on the member experience and ensuring their full financial needs are being met. His wealth of experience in various facets combined with the value he places on people and community have positioned him as a trusted and effective leader.

Tim is or has been involved with a variety of organizations in the North Battleford community including:

Battleford’s Union Hospital Foundation (Current director)

North Battleford Golf and Country Club (Current member of Executive)

2011 Tankard (Chair of Hosting Committee)

Battleford’s United Way

Tim was raised on a farm north east of North Battleford and now resides in North Battleford. He enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.